Mangalore: Various facilities were distributed to the differently abled at a district level convention of handicapped persons held at the Town Hall in Mangalore on May 28, Monday. The programme   organized by the Dakshina Kannada District Federation for the Physically Challenged was inaugurated by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.

Sri Gurudevananda Swamiji of Sri Kshetra Odiyoor, blessed the occasion and emphasized the need to encourage the differently abled so that they can achieve something in life.

A scholarship of Rs 500 each was distributed on the occasion to 50 children. Crutches, hearing aids, tricycles, wheelchairs, school bags etc were provided to the needy on the occasion.

The crutches etc were sponsored by the BG Trust and  Department for the Welfare of the Handicapped, while the scholarships were sponsored by entrepreneur Anand Shetty.

Though several officials including Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer KN Vijayaprakash were present, they did not ascend the dais due to the poll code of conduct.

Subbaiah Shetty Lingamarugutthu, Honorary President of the Federation presided over the function. Vijaynath Vittal Shetty, entrepreneur, Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President and others were present on the occasion.